Machine for continuous treatment of confined plastics



July 7,v 1942. 1 H. DE WYK 2,288,611 `MACHINE FOR CONT'INOUS'TREATMENT O CONFINED PLSTIGS l Filed Nov; 20, 1936 6 Sheets- Sheet 2 NVENTOR 0 ATTORNEY 1 H.' DE wYK 2,288,611

CONTINUOUS TREATMENT 0F CONFINED PLASTICS f July 7, 1942.

6 Sheets-Sheet `-3 MACHINE FOR Filed Nov. 20, 1936 wm @E E;

lNVENToR- v ATTORNEY July-7, 1942- l.. H. DE wYK 2,288,611

MACHINE FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF CONFINED PLASTIOS Filed Nov; 20; 1936 `6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ff l @W ATTORNEY July 7, 1942.` L. H. DE wYK Y MACHINE FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF CONFINED PLASTIQS Filed Nov. 2o,` 195s e sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR 77 as i? ATTORNEY July 7, 1942.v L. H. DE wYK 2,288,611

MACHINE FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF GONFINED PLASTICS y Filed Nov. 2o, 193s -6 sheets-sheet 6 ATTORNEY lill Patented 7, 1942 e UNITED STATES PATENT l oFFI MACHINE ron CONTINUOUS TREATMENT or ooNrnvEn PLASTICS e t `Luana n. ne Wyk,

Ansonia, Conn., assignor'to The Sponge Rubber Products Company, Shelton, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application lNovember 20, 1936, Serial No. 111,769 17 claims. (o1. Is-s) l 'I'his invention relates to machine'sof thetypev` which incorporate a train or trains of traveling rigid mold sections which may contain cavities to receive, coniineand convey plastic materialv or any unprocessed substance through someheating or processing station for molding, vulcanizing, or otherwise treating such material or substance within the cavities of the mold sections whileY the sections are traveling.

One object of the invention is to provide means so to support, impel and co-relate such mold sections that they may move in endless procession while any desired number of adjacent sections in a common train are dependably forced into tightly abutting contact despite any looseness which exists or may develop -between the associated parts of the apparatus due to wear or to the freedom required for their normal opl y eration.

A further object of the invention is to provide two simultaneously impelled endless trains of mold sections which sections may'be connected to links or separate chains that pass around spaced supporting wheels so arranged that a spanof one chain is contiguous to a span of another chain whereby a certain number of mold l portionof their travel.

sections of the respectively different trains may perform a portion of their travel in unison while held to adjustably close relationship or in actual tace to face contact, with their surface contained cavities registering to form traveling chambers y for coniining and conveying the material to be processed.

A further object is to provide a driving mechanism adapted v to furnish impelling l power directly to the mold sections of a single train without utilizing joints between connected chainlinks for transmitting such constantly pushing ahead upon successive mold sections as 'they pass the driving mechanism. A furtherobject is to provide a driving mechanism adapted to impel the combined mold vsece power,`thereby positively to impel the mold sections of a given train by Will.

sections that the force with which adjacent mold sections of such train shall be held in abutting contact while the machine is running'may selectively be determined by adjustment that may -be made while the machine is idle or While themachine is running.

A further object is to provide a retarding mechanism which, in cooperation with driving mechanism for adouble train of mold sections, is adapted to act independently upon each of two trains of mold sections so that the force with which successive sections ofl each train are held in abutting contact may be regulated separately with A further object is to eliminatel as fully as possible all frictional resistance' tending to oppose travel of the mold sections between the driving mechanism and the retarding mechanism and to reduce such resistance to materially smaller` proportions than could result from the use of sliding constraint for the mold sections in this A further object is to provide an anti-friction track composed of a series of freely turnablerollers, which track is supported upon the frame of the machine in a manner to be separately removable in different portions of its length and is adapted to support the weight of individual mold sections as they travel, the rollers preferably being so spaced that two of themr'shall always contribute to the support-of a single mold section end portion.

A further object is to provide a similar series of anti-friction rollers supported by and separately adjustable with relation to the frame` of the machine in a manner to constrain the traveling mold sections of the upper trainwith frictionlessv thrust thereby to confine the same to desired and Aregulatable proximity to the roller,

supported mold sections of the lower train as the mold sections of both trains travel in unison through a common material processing station.

` A further object is to provide a frame for the machiney having one portion that carries supporting wheels for a chain associated with one train of the mold sections, which portion ofthe frame may bodily -be adjusted toward and away from another portion of the frame that carries supporting wheels for a separate chain associated with a different train of mold sections, and which may be so adjusted to a iinely regulatable degree, and independently, at each end of a straighta-way span of the two chains and their associated trains of mold sections. e

respect to each of the trains at ments is to provide for the A further object is to provide bearings for one `chain-carrying wheel shaft in each of the relamold sections associated with such cha-in in re- V lation' to the traveling mold sections which are associated with the other chain.

A particular object of the present improvesupporting and impelling of interchangeable trains of mold sections sg that mold sections of different such trains may have varied proportions of length. breadth and thickness and contain molding cavities of dinerent shapes and sizes, each mold section for this purpose being separately and interchangeably mountable upon and removable from any one oi the associated chain links quickly and conveniently.

A further object is separately and removably to mount upon a common chain link with each mold section, and in rigid relation to such link and mold section, a block provided with gear teeth so spaced and arranged that a succession of such blocks may form a traveling rack enmeshable with frame carried power gears and retarding gears. 1 v

A further object is to provide only whole teeth upon each of such toothed blocks for meshing engagement with the teeth of power and retarding gears.

A further object is to provide each mold section of one train with a key-like projection adapted to engage and disengage with a correspending keyway in each mold section of the other train respectively, thereby to maintain a positive lateral alignment of the mold sections of both trains for accurately registering the cavities therein a's the mold sections progress through a work processing station.

A further object is to make use of thesek keylike projections to laterally guide the mold sections during their idling travel in their return journey to the work processing station, so that the working iaces of the mold sections may be protected as fully as possible from lengthwise rubbing and wear.

A further object is to support heat delivering units of any kind, for instance steam plates, upon each of the relatively adjustable portions of the frame in such manner that the nearness of these units to their corresponding traveling mold sections may be nely adjusted at will, but shall not be varied by the adjustment of said frame portions relative to leach other.

A further object is to mount certain. steam plates and certain anti-friction roller tracks in separately adjustable relation upon a common portion of the frame so that such plates and tracks may individually be adjusted in relation to the traveling mold sections of the train which derives its support from the said frame portion.

A still further object is to provide, in addition to the main heating units or steam plates which are closely proximate the path of travel of the mold sections through their work processing station, auxiliary heating units located near steam for radiating heat to hold up the temperature of the mold sections during their said return travel.

A still further object is to enclose the machine within a casing which includes heat insulating walls having conveniently openable closures or panels giving access to the interior of the casing to permit inspection and adjustment of all the foregoing mentioned parts of the apparatus whether the machine is nmning or idle.

'The foregoing and other objects will become clear from the following descriptionof a machine which embodies illustrative forms of the improvements and which will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation showing a machine embodying the present invention broken apart to indicate contraction of its true horizontal length, the machine being encased in a heat insulating jacket shown for the most part in section and a portion of the machine being shown in central vertical section en the plane |i in- Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 2 is a view looking downwardly onthe machine and is taken in horizontal sections in dilerent parts of the length of the machine on the several planes 2-2-2 etc. in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a view of the machine in end elevation looking from the left at Fig. 1 and showing upper portions of the machine vertically sectioned on the several planes 3-3-3 etc. in Fig. 1, certain track rollers which support the lower mold sections and certain constrainingy rollers which limit upward displacement of the mold sections being omitted because-shown on a larger scale in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows lon a much enlarged scale lthe track rollers and constraining rollers which are omitted in Fig. 3 and is a view taken in section on the vertical plane 4-4 in Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofv three of the mold sections and ve of the tooth blocks in the uppermost span of the lower chain in Fig. 1 drawn on a scale` slightly smaller than that of Fig. 4 and showing a break to indicate contraction of the true length of the mold sections, the end of one section being broken away to expose the chain of the mold sections.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view taken in central vertical section through the driving gear shaft on the plane 8-8 in Fig. vl looking in the direction of the arrows.

yFig. 9 is a view on a similar `scale taken in central vertical section through the train to train transmission gear on the plane `9 9 in Fig. 1

looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. l0 is a view on a similar scale taken in central` vertical section through the retarding gear shaft on the plane Ill-l0 in Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. l1 is an elevation of the brake mechanism for the retarding gears looking from the left at Fig. l0 showing this mechanism as viewed in Fig. l but drawn on a larger scale correspondingtoFig. 10. Y

^ flanges of each Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view looking upwardly atFig.1'0. l

Fig. 13 is a plan view looking downwardly upon the combined mechanisms o f Figs. 8,59 and 1 0 as these mechanisms are cooperatively assembled in swell considerably in response to heat treatment as is the case` with sponge rubber compound. Certain processes which mayin part be carried out by the use of the present apparatus are described in United States Patent No. 2,200,262 granted to Frederick M. Daly and Ludolf H.

, De Wyk.

In molding land `vulcanizing processes of this nature, it may be an object to convert a continuous supply of unvulcanized plastic. material into a continuous strip or strips of vulcanized sponge rubber having unlimited length. Continually traveling mold sections for this purpose must,

possess cavities adapted to communicate for forming a continuous conning'chamber for the material while it is conveyed through a heat the ilxed frameportion or lower beams Il and I2.

ieuy through the iength or the machineabove Rigidity of -theupper frame portion may beincreased by tie rods (not shown) connecting and bracing the channelbeams l1 and I8 at suitable points along their lengths.

A horizontal shaft I9 carrying spaced wheels and 22 is journaled in anti-friction bearing housings23 and 24 which are respectively supported in cut-out' portions of bearing plates 25 and 21 mounted against oversized cut-out ends of channel beams I1 and I8, respectively, by bolts 28 at thereceivingleft end of the machine in Fig. 1.

A similar shaft 29 carrying spaced wheels 30 and 32 is journaled in anti-friction bearing housings `33 and 34 respectively supported in cutout portions of bearing plates 36 and 31' which have horizontally elongated slots 28 engaged by zone. For this purpose, mold sections' in a given train of such sections must abut tightly, and mold sections in cooperative trains of such sections must be controlled as to separating under the expanding force of the swelling material confined by the mold sections during its heat treatment.

Priorapparatus has failed in one respect or another to provide aspositive mechanical action and-as ilexible operating adjustment as is de` sirable ina machine which shall be eflicient for the purposesA described. The improvements hereof put into the hands of the operator of the machine many cooperative means of adjustment, interchangeability of parts, and operative control so that plastic materials of.widely diifering characteristics may be vulcanized in a wide variety of forms with efliciency vand precision,

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the lower or fixed frame portion of the apparatus may be of any desired length and is supported at spaced points by any appropriate number of legs I0 and includes two horizontal laterally spaced U-channel beams II and I2 extending parallelly throughout the length of the machine and rigidly connected together and braced by tie rods (not shown) or the like.. at any suitable points in their length. Penetrating the out-turned edge channel beam are upstanding which any suitable number may the length of the frame. At

frame posts I3 of be spaced along theirA tops,

' supported by each post, may be finely regulated the posts i3 at opposite sides of thev machine,` are rigidly connected and braced by and maintained by nuts l5 having threaded engagement with the posts.

'I'he upper or vertically adjustable frameportion of the apparatus comprises two laterally bolts 39 to hold cut-out ends\of channel beams I1 and I8 respectively at lthe delivery right end of the machine in Fig. 1.

AThe adjuster screw 40 carried on beam I8 bears on a projecting boss 4I ofbearing plate i'l to force the latter toward the right in Fig. l for regulating the tightness of a chain of links d2 which passes around and is supported by wheels 22v and 32. A similar adjustor screw 43' is similarly carried by the beam I1 and acts in a similar manner upon boss 44 on bearing plate 35 to force the latter toward the delivery end of the machine in Fig. 2' for regulating the tightness of a chain of links 45 which passes around and is supported by wheels 20 and 30.

-A similar shaft 41 carrying spaced wheels da and 49 is journaled in anti-friction bearing housings 50 and 52 respectively supported in cut-out portions of bearing plates 53 and 54 which have vertically elongated slots 55 engaged by bolts 51 to hold the bearing plates 53 and dit invertically adjustable position on the oversize cutout ends of channel beams Il and l2 lrespectively at the receiving or left end of the machine in Fig. 1.

The adjustor screw 58 and bears on a boss 52 the latter or permit it to be lowered in Fig. 1, and a similar adjustor screw (not shown) is vcarried by the beam II and acts in a similar manner upon the bearing plate 53 to raise the latter or permit it to be lowered.

A similar shaft 60 carrying spaced-wheels t2 and 63 is journaled in anti-friction bearing housings 64 and 65, respectively supported in cut-out portions of bearing plates tl and 60, which have horizontally elongated slots te engaged by bolts 10 to hold bearing plates t1 and 68 in horizontally adjustable position on the oversize cut-out ends of Achannel beams I I .and I2 respectively at the idelivery or right end of the lmachine in Fig. 1. bears on a projecting boss 13 on bearing plate E8 to force the latter toward the right in Fig. 1

is carried on beam i2 for regulating the tightness of a. chain oi links 14 which passes around and is supported by wheels 49 and.63. A similar adjustor screw (not shown) is similarly carried by the beam Il and spaced U-channel beams I1 and I8 having inturned edge anges and depending from, and

made rigid to, the angle irons I4 in any suitable Way, as by welding. These beams extend paralacts in a similar manner upon the lbearing plate 64 to force the latter toward the-delivery end of the machine in Fig. Z'for regulating thetightness of a chain of links 15 which passes around and is supported by. wheels 48 and 62.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, there-is most clearly shown the bearing plates 35 and 31 inf horizontally adjustable position on the oversized.

of'bearing plate '5t to raise The adjustor screw 12- 11. The looseness of this pin in its bearing holes 5 in the links is shown on an exaggerated scale in Fig. 7 to illustrate a point of the construction which is of importance in the operation of my improved machine.

Extending crosswise the machine and mounted 10 at one end upon a link 45 or 15 and at the other end upon a link 42 or14 are mold sections 18 of a lower train and similar complementary mold sections A19V of an upper train, each of which sections comprises a bar-like structure whose 15 maximum width occurs across its face which contains the mold cavities and which width is as great or slightly greater than the minimum possible center distance between successive pins 11,

11 when the play in the pin bearings has been 20 taken up in that direction which shortens the chain. Elsewhere in the thickness of the mold -section this width is slightly reduced as at (Figs. 6 and 7). Thus adjacent mold sections Lgin a common train will be assured the ability to 9 5 but positively against each other at the edges of their faces which contain the mold cavities 'rather than at some other point in the thickness of the sections.

" The crevices 82 thus afforded between the ad- 30 jacent mold section portions 80 further serve to prevent processed material from lodging between sections in a way to interfere with tight abutting of adjacent sections of a common train .as

they travel together through the work processing station.

The present improvements provide driving mechanism and retarding mechanism, the details of which are shown on an enlarged scale in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive, and whose purpose 40 it is toy apply in opposed directions the forces which act to keep the mold sections of a corn-Y mon train in tightly abutting contact independently of looseness in the fit of pivot pins 11 while the mold sections are conveying material through a processing station between the driving and retarding mechanisms. These mechanisms will hereinafter be explained in fuller detail.

Upon each chain link, at the end of its supported mold section, is rigidly mounted an L- shaped block 83 in which is cut a number of preferably whole gear teeth 84 whose contours may be those of the teeth of -a rack. The tooth spacing is such with reference to the adjacent edges of the L-shaped blocks that the pitch spacing between the end teeth oftwo adjacent blocks is equal to the pitch spacing between adjacent whole teeth on a single block. This pitch spacing is determined by the placement of the blocks 83 upon their respective chain links andby the 6 inter-abutting of adjacent mold sections, there being preferably a small space 85 between adjacent blocks about equal to the crevice 82 between the mold sections as shown in Fig. 7. This further makes possible an economical method of producing the toothed blocks 83 by cutting apart a rack in which has been milled a continuous series of ordinary gear teeth, the thickness of the cutting saw equaling the space 85. Fig. 6

shows most plainly the manner in which the end of the mold section 18 or 19, and likewise the. toothed block 83, are rigidly secured to the same chain link' by similar cap screws 81 having threaded engagement with the.1ink and having 75 their heads sunk within counterbores in the exposed surfaces of the mold section and of the block. The mold section and/or the toothed block may thereby selectively and independently be removed from the link for replacement or repair. This construction is preferably common to all of the mold sections and toothed blocks in the two endless trains of such sections and blocks which are respectively associated with the separate chains of links. Each toothed block has relieved or cut-back corners at 88 which afford the clearance to permit angular inclination of adjacent toothed blocks relative to each other as they are carried by the chain around each of' the chain` supporting wheels as shown in Fig. 1.,

While the working faces of the mold'sections may b e recessed to form molding cavities of any desired shape, size and relationship, the molding cavities, shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, comprise closely adjacent half round grooves 92 disposed end to end in adjacent mold sections of a common train and parallel with the direction of travel of the train, thereby forming continuous grooves when the adjoining edges of the mold sections abut. For insuring exact lateral register of these half round grooves inthe mold sections of one train with the corresponding half round grooves in the mold sections of the other train, each mold section of the lower train, near each of its ends, is equipped with a fixed key 89 adapted to engage with a corresponding keyway in the opposed surface of each mold section of the upper train. The keyway is preferably deeper than the projecting portion of the key so that asmall clearance exists between the top ofthe key and the bottom of the keyway when these parts are fully engaged. If the two trains of mold sections are so related that the junctions between mold sections of one train are staggered with relation to the junctionsbetween the mold sections of the other train, each key will engage with a portion of the two aligned keyways in adjacent mold sections, softhat this key and keyway engagement will perform the further important function of keeping the molding grooves of adjacent mold sections in a single train in accurate end to end alignment with one another.

With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, there will now bedescribed the support tracks which extend lengthwise of the processing station for bearing the weight of the .horizontally traveling lower train of mold sections, and also the superimposed constraining tracks, of similar Atrack rollers, extends lengthwise of eachrunning plate and is fixed to the top thereof and comprises a base strip and upstanding side strips 91 and 98, secured to the bas'e strip 95 by' through bolts 99. In each of the side strips are seated a" series of ball bearings |00 respectively supporting the rollers |02. The latter partly occupy the trough between the side strips. The links 14 and 15 of the lower chain ride upon the track rollers m and the 1arte: are prefer- ,i in Figs. 1 and 13 as the yteeth blocks come into mesh divided .longitudinally into any suitable number of lengthwise sections such as A and B in Fig. 1,

each section being separately removable to permit the servicing or renewal-ot certain rollers or bearings, without disturbing those which do not I require attention. Case strips 95 are secured to running plates 93'and 90 by bolts 95.

Extending lengthwise'of the machine and se- I cured againstthe bottom flange of each of channel beams I1 and I8, are Z-bars I 03 to which a similar, but inverted.v sectional runl of` troughlike structure is secured. This structure gives clockwise in Fig. 13 by power, acting to impel these blocks ,from left to vright 04 on the successive with the teeth on gear H5. The shaft ||1 is given bearing in a bushing I8 in the bearing block I I9 which is bolted to the `outer edge of the running plate 94 and also in the bearing cap which is bolted downwardly against the bearing block.

Power is delivered to the shaft |I1 through a bevel gear |22 lIclxed on the bottom end oi this yshaft which latter is provided with a lower beare inem in the frame bracket |24. This bracket bearings to a series ofireely turnable rollers |04 superimposed above the rollers |02 and is composed of a top strip |05 with separate side strips.

'|06 and |01. The side strip |06 contains vertically elongated slots |08 penetrated by the bolts |09 having threaded engagement with the Z- bars |03. Sectional lengths oi' the top strip |05 and of the side strips |00 and |01 are rigidly but removably held together by the through bolts H0. In each of the side strips is seated a series of ball bearings |00, like those in the strips |06 and] b1, respectively carrying the lift limiting rollers |04 which partly occupy the inverted trough between the side lstrips. The top strip |05 may be adjustably forced and held downward by the heads of vertical adjustment screws Iii which have threaded engagement with the Z-bars |03 and with the lower ange oi the frame beam, being held from accidental turning 'by the lock nuts I I 4.

lWhen there is any tendency of the links @l2 or 0b oi the upper chains to rise, owing toexis constructed toV also aord bearings |25 and |21 respectively for two horizontally extending shafts |29 and |29 extending crosswise .the machine as shown in Fig. 3. The horizontal shaft |29 rotates the bevel pinion |30 which meshes `with the bevel gear |22 and is driven through the engagement of its carried spur gear |32 with a spur pinion |33 fixed tothe horizontal shaft |28. At' its opposite end, shaft '|29 carries the pulley |34 which is belted to a smaller pulley |35 of the variable speed transmission unit contained within the casing |31. beneath `the frame of the machine. The variable speed transmission is powered from the motor I 38 by means of the belt ried by the links 1li of tail this duplicate panding action of material being processed With- ,l

in the chambers of the moldsections, or owing to buckling action which might be occasioned by straight-a-way impelling and opposing forces applied to the train of mold sections while passing through their processing station. these links of the upper chain will be held downwardly by rollers |00 at each side oi. the machine but these rollers will ol'er practically no frictional resistance opposing the designedstraight-line travel of any link in the chain while passing through the processing station.

The top strip |05 and/or side strips |06, |01, may be divided'longitudinally-into any suitable number of sections, `such as C and D in Fig. 1,

which will permit the servicing or renewal ofy certain rollers or bearings without disturbing those which do not require attention.' and will v 3, for driving the opposite ends of numerals primed, and

|39, best shown in Fig. 1, which drives the constant speed pulley |40 of the transmission unit whose further details are not here-shown because well understood in the art. The speed transmitted to the machine may be varied by rotatively adjusting the hand wheel Mi.

As the set of parts illustrated in Fig. 8, for delivering power to the the cated by a similar set of parts on the opposite Yside of the machine, as best shown in Figs. 2 and the mold sections carried by the links 15 of the' other lower chain, it will not be necessary to describein deset of parts. They'are represented in Figs. 2 and 3 by the same respective in Fig. 3 itis clearly shown that the bevel gear I 22' is driven by a second bevel pinion |30 carried on the same shaft |29 with the bevel pinion |30 formerly described.

Held in both the bearing block il@ and the bearing cap |20 is a short vertical shaft |43 upon which is freely vturnable the spur gear |40 which is long enough to mesh simultaneously with gear teeth 34cm blocks 83 both of the lower f further permit independent vertical adjustment of different such sections. i

With particular reference to Figs. 1, and 8 to 13 inclusive, the driving and retarding mechanisms by which impelling power and Opposing resistance is applied directly to the toothed blocks station (considered as the portion ci the machine occupied by contiguous stretches of the chains) will now be described. The spur gear I|5 is fixed on a vertical shaft II1 and constantly meshes with one or another toothed block 83 carried by links 14 of the lower chain, and is rotated 83 during their travel through the processing Fig. 9. In this manner the power delivered to the toothed blocks of the lower chain links 14 and 15 which have passed the spur gears ||5 and I I5 is transmitted to the toothed blocks of the upper chain links 02 and 45 so as to force the latter constantly toward the right in Fig. 1 in unison with the toothed blocks of the lower chain links and thence on through the processing station. It will be understood that a mechanism which duplicates that of Fig. 9 is present at the location in Fig. 2 indicated by the same reference characters primed so that equal driving action is imparted to each end of the mold sections 10 and 19 at each side of the machine in Fig. 2.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, and 10 to 13 thereby constantly which is fixed to a hollow or able relative thereto.

callyarranged upper and'lower spur gears |45 and |41, the former of which is fixed to the top of a central vertical shaft m 'and the-.latter of shaft |46 and independently turnsmomdmg Hollowa shaft |49 is rotatablyjournaled in the bearing block |50 which is bolted to the outer edge of the running plate 94' and both shafts extend downwardly through l clearance holes in' the flanges of frame beam |2 `to beneath the lower flange of this beam.

Against the bottom of this flange, the two bearing plates |52 and |53 are rigidly mounted in vertically spaced relation by hollow posts |54 through which extend the bolts |55 having threadedengagement with the lower flange ofv the frame beam. Plate |52 provides a rigid bearing for .the hollow shaft- |49 and plate |53 affords a,ss,e11

position by the nuts |16. Push screws |19 bear down against the top 'of steam plates |14.and

have threaded engagement with lZ-bars |66.

tubular shaft |49' Thus the upper steam plates |14 may be vertically adjusted and held in adjusted position independently of the vertical adjustment vof the upper track rollers |04, while both said plates and rollers derive their support in common 'from the upper frame beams I1 and I6. .It will be observed that if these upper frame beams be bodily raised or lowered upon their supporting a rigid bearing for the solid inner shaft |46 therebelow. A friction pulley |51 is fixed on the lower extremity of the hollow shaft |49 and is retarded in its rotative movement with a force adjustable by the friction brake band |56. In

Fig. 1l this band is shown .to have one end secured to a fixed anchor stud |59'l and is drawn taut about the friction pulley |51 by the force lof a' compression spring |60 whose power may be adjusted by the nuts |6| havingl threaded engagement with the rod-like terminal |62 of the/brake band which is guided in the rigid frame post |64. A second frictionpulley |65 is fixed on the lower extremity of the solid inner shaft |46 and is retarded in its movement with an adjustable force by the brake band |61. In Fig.'

12 this band is shown 'to have one end .secured to/a'fixed anchor stud |66 and is drawn taut about friction pulley |55 bythe force of a compression spring |69, Whose power may be advthreaded engagement with steam plates |15 pass through clearance holes in angle irons |62 and maintain the vertical adjustment of the steam plates effected by push screws |60. As further shown in Fig. 4, a vertically disposed partition |61 separates the edges of the upper steam plates from the upper roller trough strips |06, and a similar partition |66 separates the edges of `the lower steam plates |15 from the lower roller justed by the nuts |10 having threaded engagement with the rod-like terminal |12 of the brake band which is guided in the rigid frame post |13.

As-in the case of the spur gears ||5 and ||5 of the driviiig mechanism, all of the parts shown in Figs. 10,!11 and 12 are duplicated at the positions 'represented by their corresponding numerals primed in Fig. 2, on the opposite or left side of the machine in Figs. 2 and 3, for separately holding back the toothed blocks 63 which are rigid with the opposite ends of the mold sections and which it will not be necessary to describe in detail because of their similarityin construction andoperation.

For delivering heat to the mold sections of both trains as they travel through the processing station between the driving mechanisms and retarding mechanisms, any form of electrical resistance, gas burners, or other suitable type of heat generating unit may be employed. There is herein illustrated a series of plate sections |14 andV |15 containing communicating'passages for steam to provide a vulcanizing heat. These plate sections combine to extend substantially the full length of the straight-a-way span of' the traveling trains of mold sections from entrance to exit of the processing station. In order to efficiently radiate heat to the mold sections of both the upper and lower trains, an upper series of steam plates |14 and a lower series of steam plates |15 are provided. The upper steam plates |14 are disposed with their bottom-surfaces closely adjacent the mold sections in Fig. 3 and these plates are supported by pull screws |11 having threaded 'engagement therewith at each side of the machine, which screws pass through clearance holes the Z-bars |03 and are retained in adjusted trough strips 91.v

To assist in preventing objectionable sag of the trains of mold sections and of the toothed blocks and chain links with which they respectively return in unison from the right or delivery end of the machine to the left or receiving end yof the machine in Fig. 1, after'passing around the carrier wheels, thereis provided in the upper portion of the machine any desirable number of freely rotatable cross shafts |90, pivoted at each end in ball bearings mounted in caps |9| removably secured by bolts or otherwise to the outer surfaces of the upper frame beams |1 and I6. Each of shafts carries two flanged wheels |9| upon whose peripheries the chain links 42 and 45 ride in Vfreely rolling contact as they successively pass these wheels in their return travel toward the left in the uppermost stretches of the upper chains in Fig. 1. The flanges on these wheels as well as the flanges on upper carrier wheels 20, 22, 30 and 32, retain the links in accurate alignment lengthwise of the machine during their return travel to the processing station.

In the lower portion of the machine, similar shafts |94 are freely rotatable inl ball bearings mounted in caps |95 removably secured by bolts or otherwise to the outer surfaces of the lower frame beams and I2. Each of shafts |94 carries two grooved wheels |91 upon whose peripheries the ends of mold sections 63 of the lower train ride in freely rolling contact as they successively pass wheels |91 in their return travel toward the left with the bottom-most stretches oi.' the lower chains in Fig. 1. 'I'he keys 69 engage with the grooves in the peripheries of wheels |91 and thus cooperate with the flanges on lower carrierwheels 46, 46, 62 and 63, to retain the trains of mold sections in accurate alignment lengthwise of the machine duringl their return travel to the processing station.

It should be noted that since the pulley wheels tions in saidreaches of the chains would be converted into a pulling tendency" which might stretch the working reach of each chain which contains the material beingprocessed suilciently to produce objectionable cracks between succe'sof the mold sections at .the left or receiving end` of the machine in Fig. 1 and a permanent small vopening for discharging the vulcanized or processed material from the right or delivery end of the machine in Fig, 1, and as many openabie closures itt may be provided in the heat retaining jacket |89) as are needed togive access to various pointsin the machine. v

The feature which consists in the location of lower chain vcarrying wheels til' and t9 well to `the left of upper chain carrying wheels 20 and 22 in Fig. l, provides a constantly movinghmaterial receitmg platform inthat part of the lower train of mold sections which extends outwardlyr v.beyond the.v upper train of mold sections toward the left in Fig. l. .This moving platform is well illustrated at the bottom of `Fig. 2 to be ample for supporting the material to be conveyed into the processing `station/.while exposing it to inspection and adjustmentby the operator, who

may thus insure that the material to be processed is suitably prepared to enter the work processing station before it is `conveyed thereinto and out of his control.

In addition to `the steam plates |14 and |75, I have found it to advantage to provide means for delivering heat tothe mold sections it and it during their return travel to the processing station. Such means may consist of steam conveying .pipes which zig-zag crosswise of the machine and extend any desirable portion of the length of the machine at a suitable level or levels proximate the idling or return path of travel of the mold sections. A fragment of such steam conveying pipes is indicated at itt-in Fig. 3 for radiating heat upwardly to the mold sections it and another fragment of such steam 'conveying pipes is indicated at it@ in the same figure tor radiating heat upwardly to the mold sections ld. Exhaust steam from the heating plates 1t, 19, may be caused to pass through such auxiliary pipe lines or other means for heating the mold sections during their returning travel to the processing station may be employed. In general, it isfound that in a machine of 'given length, the rate of production may be increased on a given kind of work by running the machine faster` when the mold sections are kept at elevated temperature during their return travel tothe proc` vessing station.

vmolding and uniformly vulcanizingcontinuous and unlimited lengths of compositions containing rubber or synthetic rubber comprising a mixture the very great combined weight of the mold secadapted to swell considerably when subjected to a vulcanizlng heat as is. the case with sponge rubber compound. which are described inthe hereinbeftre mentioned Patent No. 2,200,26217 Many other kinds of materials may be employed and many dilerent forms of resulting product may be manufactured in improved form and with increased emciency by a machine embodying the present improvements.'

In operation mold sectionsl and 19. are maintained suitably warmed by heat delivered -by steam plates |14 and |15 and by the steam piping |98 `and |99 when electric motor |18 is running which drives the pulley |35 at yariable speed through transmission mechanismI (not shown) within the housing |31. Thefspeed of pulley |35 is determined by manual adjustment of the transmission regulating hand wheel |42. Thus power is delivered at selective speed to pulley i3d, shaft itt, pinion |33, gear |32, shaft |29, Vand bevel pinions |39 and |3i'. These parts are best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The upright shafts ||t and Hl' are thereby rotated respectively clockwise and counterclockwise and at uniform speed in li'ig. 2 so that spur gears Ht and Mt' constantly lmpel toward the right in Fig. 1 the successive toothed blocks tt on opposite ends of the mold sections t@ as these toothed blocks are conveyed into mesh with the spur gears by the-chain links it and it.

' ts the toothed blocks tt progress they come into mesh with gears ttt and tutt' on respectively opposite sides oi the machine, and which are also in mesh with the similar toothed blocks of an upper train oi mold sections "it as the last said blocks are conveyed into mesh with gears itt and itt' by the chain links di and tt. 1rI'hus, from the receiving or left end ci the machine in Fig. ll to the wort.' delivering or right end of the machine ln'Flg. l, all ot the rnold sections lt in the upper train and it in the lower train lare constantly pushed forward in unison by power lapplied at the entrance to the processing station.

Near the exit oi the processing station the movement or the toothed blocks toward the right in Fig. vl is constantly opposed in the case of the upper train ci mold sections it by the retarding gears ttt and Mii whose rotation is respectively opposed by the brake band itl and by a similar brake band (not shown) on the other side of the machine, and in the case of the lower train of mold sections 'it by the retarding gears lill and ltll' whose rotation is respectively opposed by the y brake band itt and by a similar brake band (not shown) on the other side `of the machine (see Fig. l0) i Thus the mold sections in both trains are kept powerfully thrust together during their travel through the processing station from gears itt and itt to gears itt, M5', itl and itl'. In

this travel also, mold sections 'lit and l@ are kept actually or nearly in liace to face contact by the lower. track rollers itt and by the upper series of constraining rollers ltd which in no nway oppose the straight line travel oi these mold sections in unison from left toright in Fig. 1.

The moving platform comprised of the mold "sections tt which are constantly advancing :from

against the.upper facesv of mold sections 19 as' indicated in the Patent No. 2,200,262 hereinbefore referred to, or successive short lengths of unvulcanized strip may be placed in or fed into the grooves or molding cavities 92 to completely fill them lengthwise as they advance toward the processing station.- For fuller disclosure of apparatus which may be employed, to feed and deliver unprocessed material into the cavities 92 in the exposed upper faces of mold sections 19, reference maybe had to United States Patent No. 2,218,527.

As the material so applied to the upper surface of mold sections 19 is carried onward, the mold sections 18 of the upper train close down upon the mold sections 19 and form closed chambers of continuous length completely or partially confining and isolating the strips of materialin each groove from one another depending upon the downward adjustment of the constraining rollers |04. While so conned, the heat delivered by steam plates |14 and |15 to mold sections 18 and v19 respectively, first softens the composition,

then causes it to expand and to completely nll the molding chambers, or if the vertical setting of rollers |04 permits, to overflow its containing chamber and join with the softened composition in an adjacent chamber when its 'expansion has slightly separated the normally contacting faces of mold sections 18 and 19, by forcibly lifting the upper mold section 18 slightly, and to then become vulcanized into separate or laterally joined strips of sponge rubber which are delivered continuously from the right end of the machine in Fig, 1 as the upper and lower mold sections separate, in the form of a uniformly vulcanized product of continuous unlimited length and of any desired cross-sectional shape conforming to whatever shape may be possessed by cavities such as 92 in the opposed surfaces of the mold sections.

Because of the positive and accurate control of the relationship of the traveling mold sections, surface perfection of the finished product is achieved, uniform porosity, hardness and crosssecfibnal size and shape of body structure are produced in the vulcanized product, and the output of the machine is accomplished more rapidly and. with less cost than has been possible to any apparatus heretofore known for turning out this type of productor for carrying outthe processes for which my improved Amachine is designed.

Features herein disclosed pertaining to construction and mode of operation of the mold sections as mere carriers of work to be processed are claimed in our copending application divisional herefrom, Serial No. 401,629, filed July 9,

The improvements as defined in the following claims are susceptible of embodiment in mechanical parts and arrangements of parts differing greatly from the particular parts and arrangements set forth in the drawings and description hereof to illustrate the invention and consequently the language of the claims will be understood as inclusive of equivalent parts and arrangements which might be substituted for those herein chosen for seizing upon the principles of these improvements.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of thel character described, in combination, a forwardly movable train of car,

riers for material to be processed, pivotal joints connecting said carriers in a manner to limit the relative movement of adjacent carriers to swinging movement about a common pivot, said joints being loose enough to permit a small degree of lost motion between adjacent carriers lengthwise of said train, a processing .station traversed by said train of carriers, driving mechanism stationed at the entrance to said processing station powered to move continuously in a single direction and acting in order on successivecarriers in a manner constantly to thrust a group of said carriers forwardly through said processing station, and retarding mechanism stationed at theexit from said processing station constructed and arranged to engage said group of carriers successively in order and in a manner constantly and yieldingly to oppose forward movement thereof, thereby to hold in tight abutting contact the said group of carriers while the same are moving through said processing station.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination dened in claim 1, in which each of said carriers has a body containing grooves aligned with the direction of travel of said train of carriers through'said processing station and separated by ridges correspondingly aligned, each of said ridges being formed between the adjacent grooves in a manner to present an outwardly disposed edge of suiiicient sharpness to sever and divert into said grooves substantially all of the substance of a severable material when such material is firmly pressed against said edges and toward said grooves.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination defined in claim 1, in which each of the said carriers has a body containing grooves for holding material to be processed and extending from edge to edge of said carrier in the direction of travel of the said train of carriers through the said processing station which body portion is widest from edge to edge' across'its' surface containing said grooves and undercut to less width elsewhere thereby to insure crackless continuity of said grooves end-to-end when adjacent carriers are forced into abutting contact 'during their travel through the processing station for molding continuous lengths of material. v 4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination defined in claim 1, together with means to predetermine and vary the force with which the said retarding mechanism constantly and yeldingly opposes the said forward movement of the said group of carriers.

5. Apparatus for impelling a train of mold sections and simultaneously holding in tight abutting contact successive mold sections of said train, including in combination with said mold sections, rack teeth mounted to travel with each of said mold sections and arranged in order lengthwise of said train, a toothed gear powered and arranged to rotate in a fixed location and to engage successively with said rack teeth in a manner to push said train of mold lsections progressively beyond said location, and a resistive gear rotatably mounted at a station spaced beyond said location lengthwise of said train a distance greater than the combined reach of a plurality of said mold sections and constructed and arranged to engage successively with said rack teeth in a manner to oppose travel oi saidv train past said station thereby to cause successive mold sections to be thrust tightly together-while traveling from said location to said station. Apparatus for impelling in adjacent lengthwise paths loi travel neighboring trains oi7 mold sections in face-to-'face matching relation and for simultaneously holding in tight edge-to-edge abutting contact a group of successive mold sections in each oi said trains, including rack teeth mounted to travel with each oi said mold sectionsy of each of said trains Iand ordered length- `wise of each. train, gear means mounted and 'powered to rotate in a fixed location and to engage successively withV said rack teeth in each oi said trains in a manner to push both of said trains constantly and' in unison beyond said location in their said paths oi travel, and resistive geur means operative at a station spaced beyond said location along the said lpaths of travel of said trains a distance greater than the comnecting said mold structuresin a manner` to limit the relative movement' o! adjacent structures to swinging movement about a common bined reach of said group of mold sections in each train and constructed and arranged to engage successivelywith said rack teeth of both trains in 'a manner to oppose travel of both trains past said station ,thereby tocause said lgroup of mold sections `of each of said `trains to be thrust tightly together edgewise while traveling in `matching relation to the said sections oi the other train between said location and said station. l v

1. Apparatus as defined in claim 6in which the said powered gear means and the said resistive gear means' are constructed and arranged cooperatively with the said rack teeth to permit relative sliding movement therebetween crosswise the s aid maths of travel of the said trains thereby to permit the said groups of mold secpivot, said joints being loose enough to permit -a small degree ot lost motion between adjacent structures lengthwise oi said trains, gear teeth carried by each of said structures and arranged to form separate racks of said gear teeth traveling respectively with each ,of said trains, a driving gear arranged to mesh with the teeth oi only lone oi said trains o! structures, a transmission gear arranged to mesh simultaneously with the teeth of bothoi said trains of structures, and a retarding gear spaced from said driving gear in the direction oi train travel by a distance at. least as great as the combined extent 'oi a plurality of said structures and arranged to vmesh with the te'eth oi one ofvsaid trains of structures.

11. In combination with apparatus as described in claim' 10, a support frame for the apparatus, a series of 'freely turnable rollers ar` ranged and positioned to provide antiirictional support lor the weight of the said chain links and carriers-in the path oi travel thereof between the said driving vmeans and the said brake' means, and a superimposed series of freely turnable rollers supported on said. frame in a manner to be vertically 'adjustable in relation thereto and arranged and positioned positively to limit with anti-frictionai resistance the'iifting displacement of said chain links and carriers to a y pre-determinable extent of displacement.

tions of respectively different trains to travel l in variable face-to-face proximity to one another past both of said gear means-while held thereby in tight edge-to-edgeabutting contact.

8. Apparatus for impelling in adjacent lengthwise paths of travel neighboring trains of mold sections in iace-to-iace matching relation and' for simultaneously holding in tight edge-to-edge Vabutting contact a group of successive mold sections ineach of said trains, including rack teeth mounted to travel with each 'of said mold sections of each 'cil said trains andl arranged in order lengthwise of each train, wa gear mounted to ro.-

tate in a xed location and to mesh simultaneously with rack teeth of both of said trainsnin a manner to cause one roi said trains to advance in unison with theoth'er of said trains beyond said location in said paths of train travel, and a plurality of resistive gears each operatively y mounted at val station spaced beyond the said of. said gears acts upon the'said rack teeth of each of the said trains.

10. In material processing apparatus, in combinatton with two trains of material-connn- 12. Apparatus for conveying material to be processed, including 'in combination. two endless and laterally spaced chains of rigid bars each spanning the spacebetween said chains and detachably connected at each end to a diilerent one, oi said links and carrying a molding cavity on one face adaptedto communicate with amolding cavity on the corresponding faces oi adjacent bars in the same train, a single pivotal joint constructed and arranged to connect together each two successive links in' said e chains in a manner-to limit the relative movement of adjacent links to swinging movement about a common axis, said joints being loose enough to permit a small degree of lost motion between adjacent carriers lengthwise oi said chains, each oi saidgbars further having a maximum width from edg'eto edge across its said face at least as great-as the minimum center distancel between successive pivotal joints. and lfurther having a reduced width in portions other than saidy face, and means constructed and arranged to force said ledges of adjacent bars into abutting contact witheach other in the region of said molding cavities, as permitted by said looseness of said joints while said train and chains travel in unison for conveying material.v

13. Apparatus as described in claim i2, in whichthe said bars are rigidly and removably secured at each end in such relation respectively to adjacent links of the same chain that adjacent bars can abut in a plane normal to their path of travel and substantiallylcentrally aligned with the said single loose pivotal joint which connects the adjacent links to which said adjecent bars are respectively secured.

14. In a processing machine. inl combination with upper and -lower trains of material conveyers constructed and arranged to -be pushed in mating contact together through a processing station, means to directv a foremost stretch of said lower train into a path 'of travel ading traveling mold structures, pivotal joints convanced longitudinally with respect to the path links, a train ofv` tain a. platform-like 4lower train oi conveyors to receive ma .direct said upper er travel located tion 'oi the lower tion, power impelled driving on the conveyers tively by the moll sections of ,er travel arend upper train thereby to mintraveling portion or said clear of said upper train and exposed at the iront thereof in a manner to be' processed. means to train into meetin's proximity to said lower train at between said platform-like portrain and said processing stameans stationed at the iront end of said platform-like portion o: location spaced iorwardhr from said point of meeting of said trains and arranged to push successively o! only said lower train vin a mannerrto thrust all ofthe conveyers in the said platform-like train said point o! meeting means stationed between said point of meeting and the processing station constructed and arranged to transmit movement from the conveyors oi said lower train to upper train.

portion constantly toward o! the trains. together with 2,988,81 il.v

e peint nous said paths projecting from the derung reeesfmereot and aligned withsaid path io travel. the moldsections of the neighboring train having keyways respectively sunk in their working facesl spaced laterally from of said keyways being shaped and disposed to receive a portion of each of two oi said keys in a manner to hold the molding cavities of both trains of mold sections in true register vand alignment while advancing in said processing path of travel. l

16. In a processing machine, the combination defined in claim l5, in which the said working e 'faces of the mold sections are relieved in an area the conveyors of said 15. In `a processing machine, in combination..

with two neighboring trains oi mold sections having working faces containing molding cavities and supported and arranged to move in endless procession while certain mold sections oi said neighboring trains progress face to tace along a path of processing travel, keys carried respecone of said trains tions o! neighboring between the said molding cavities and the lsaid l and/or keyways thereby to provide space keys between opposed working faces of the mold sectrains-to accommodate ex, cess material forced out oi said molding cavities during the said processingtravel thereby to prevent said excess material from holding apart the unrelieved portions of said working faces.

17. In a processing machine, the combination dened in claim 15, together with rotatable sup' port means disposed along a return path oi travel of the train oi key equipped mold sections constructed and arranged to engage laterally with successive 'keys and simultaneously lbear the weight of successive mold sections as the latter pass said support means.4

LUDOLF H. DE WYK.

the molding cavities therein, each 

